PowerPlayer: State GOP Executive Director Ann Clanton
Monday, April 09, 2012
This week’s PowerPlayer is Ann Clanton, the new executive director of the State GOP. Ms. Clanton was kind enough to chat with GoLocalProv about her goals for the Party and her strategy for November’s elections.
1) You're the new executive director of the Rhode Island GOP. Tell us your top three priorities for the rest of the year.
As the new executive director, my priorities for this year are to increase the number of Republican General Assembly candidates, expand our base of support amongst independents and increase the number of voters who participate in the Republican primary.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST2) The Party has struggled to remain relevant in the state. What do you see as the biggest problem facing the GOP in Rhode Island today?
There is a misrepresentation amongst the general public about who the Rhode Island Republican Party is. We need to do a better job of defining ourselves instead of having others doing it for us. The Democrats have left the working man and woman behind; the biggest problem for us is finding a way to get our message to Rhode Island voters. Rhode Island Republicans are for less taxes and less government. Our goal is to get Rhode Island back on track and put every Rhode Islander back to work.
3) Take us through a day in your life.
I read three or four social media sites, field requests from our General Assembly and federal candidates, meet with our Republican town and city committee members and attend events as they arise. In all cases, I am on the lookout for potential General Assembly candidates. I take an hour or two a day for non-RIGOP tasks related to various Boards or organizations that I belong to.
4) Many people believe the key to reviving the Party is winning more General Assembly seats. What's your strategy for election season?
My strategy this election cycle is to restore the balance back in the General Assembly. We lost 14 seats by 4.2 percentage points or less in the last election cycle. We have begun to vet some solid candidates who are capable and up to this challenge. Individuals who are seasoned and engaged in the process at the local level. And we have a core group of volunteers to deploy to provide technical assistance to our General Assembly candidates.
5) Tell us something nobody knows about you.
When I was five years old I marched and twirled a baton in the Bristol 4th of July Parade.
Quick Hitters
Role Model: Condoleezza Rice
Favorite Restaurant: Hemenway's
Best Beach: Charlestown Town Beach
Best Book You've Read in the Last Year: The Big Short, by Michael Lewis
Advice for the Next Ann Clanton: Resources are important are don’t give up on the fight for the Rhode Island Republican Party and our state.
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